Machine for cutting articles



June 5 1945- c. A. MARTIN l, 2,377,437

MACHINE FOR CUTTING ARTICLES Filed June l, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l 'SYMATTORNEY-3 June 5, 194s.`

C. A MARTIN MACHINE FOR CUTTING ARTICLES Filed June l, 1944 4Sheets-Sheet 2 T- T 4.1L l

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ATTORNEY S Ju'ne 5, 1945. c. A. MARTIN 2,377,437 I MACHINE FOR CUTTING'ARTICLES I Filed June l, 1944 '4 Sheets- Sheet 3 4 www ATTORNEYS June 5,1945.v c. A. MARTIN 2,377,437

MACHINE FOR CUTTING ARTICLESI Filed June 1, 1944 4 sheets-sheet 4 SYM@ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT org-FICEg 7 MACHINEFOR CUTTING ARTICLES Charles A. Martin, lBul'alo, N. Y.

Application June 1, 1944, Serial No. 538,284

8 Claims. (Cl. 12S-13) This invention relates to a machine for cuttingtile, building blocks and the like. In machines of this character, ashertofore constructed, the abrasive cutter blades which are very fragileand rotate at a high speed have been so mounted that they are bodilymovable toward and from the workpiece and the latter`is alsoreciprocated forwardly and backwardly relative to the blade during thecutting operation inasmuch as repeated strokes of the workpiece past theblade are required for successively increasing the depth of the kerf orgroove in the workpiece before the cutting operation is complete.inasmuch as the abrasive cutting blades have no teeth, such as are usedin wood saws which clean out the dust or cuttings from .the groove inthe material which is being cut, it is necessary when using an abrasivecutter blade to reciprocate or oscillate the workpiece repeatedly backand forth relative to the cutter blade in order to clean the dust orcuttings from the kerf or groove and permit the vcutting to proceedeffectively.

When moving a cutter blade bodily toward and from the path of aworkpiece the same is not rigid and therefore makes it necessary toemploy cutter blades which are comparatively thick in order to withstandthe vibration and secure uniform and accurate cuts as well as avoidingbreakage of the blades which are expensive to replace. yOne of theobjects of this invention is to provide a machine for cuttingcementitious tiles, blocks, slabs and the like in which the rotarycutting blades or disks are rigidly mounted so that the same areincapable of bodily movement during the normal operation of the machineand thus ensure greater accuracy and uniformity in the cutting ofgrooves in the material being cut and also permit the use of thinnerblades which are less expensive and thus reduce the cost of maintenance.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for thispurpose which is sturdy in construction and capable of cutting tile andFig. 3 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the same, taken on line 4 4, Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section, take on line 5- 5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section,` taken on thecorrespondingly numbered line in Fig`. 3.

Fig. l is a rear elevation' of the machine.

Fig. 8 is a framentary verticalsection, on an enlarged scale, taken online 8 8, Fig. 7.

Fig. Q'is a fragmentary horizontal section," on a still larger scale,taken on line 9 9, Fig. 8.'

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper part of a cuttingmachineembodying a modified form of this invention.,

Fig. l1 is a top plan View of the same.

Fig. 12 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line I2-|2,Fig. 10.

Fig. 1.3 is a section similar to Fig. 12, showing a modiiied form of theconnection between the horizontally adjustable arm which supports, thecutter and motor mechanism and the carriage which is adjustablevertically on the main frame.

In the following description vlike reference characters indicate thesame parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Although the main frame which supports the several working parts of thisapparatus may be variously constructed, the same, as shown in thedrawings, preferably comprises a base having two longitudinal spacedside sills Ill, I0, a lower transverse rear sill Il connecting the rearends of the side sills, two spaced upright standards I2, i2 which risefrom the corners at thejunction of the side and rear sills, cornerplates I3 'connecting the adjacent parts of the side sills andstandards, an upper sill I4 connecting said standards between the lowerand upper ends thereof, and an intermediate cross bar l5 connecting theside sills between the front and rear endsy thereof. A frame is thusproduced in which the front ends of the longitudinal sills aredisconnected and form an open space in which the .operator may standclose to thek machine while operating the same and if desired themachine may straddle any object on the oor. The

standards are preferably made of steel bars which are channel-shaped incross section and have their concave sides facing orl opposed to eachother so that the sameA form vertical guideways I6 in which areadjustably mounted two upright legs or runners. l1 which form part of avertically. movable carriage which supports the article cutting tool I8and the means for operating the same. In addition to these verticalrunners the carriage comprises a horizontal cross bar I9 which connectsthe upper ends of the runners and a horizontal supporting arm which hasits rear end connected with this cross bar while its front end projectslongitudinally forward therefrom.

Upon raising or lowering the carriage the cutter I8 may be shifted tosuit the height of the article which is being cut. Retaining means areprovided whereby the cutter supporting arm 20 and carriage I1, I9 may beheld in its adjusted position, which retaining means preferably alsoserve to tie together the carriage and the upper parts of the standardsof the main frame so as to produce a very strong and durable supportingstructure for the machine. In their preferred form these retaining meansare constructed as follows: 1

The numeral 2I represents clamping dogs each 1 of which has the form oi'a. plate extending horizontally across the rear side of the upper partof one of the frame standards and the adjacent part of one of therunners of the carriage and which has an inner toe 22 engaging with therear side of the respective runner while its outer end is provided witha hook 23 engaging with the outer side of the upper part of therespective standard and a clamping bolt 24 connecting the central partof this dog with the adjacent part of the respective runner, as shown inFigs. l. 2, 3, 6 and 7. Upon loosening the clamping. bolts 24 thecarriage may be moved vertically .on the frame into the desired positionand then held there by tightening these bolts. Owing to the hooks 23 ofthese dogs engaging with the outer sides of the frame standards theseretaining means serve to prevent lateral movement of the frame standardsand the carriage legs or runners and thus. prevent the frame standardsfrom 1 For the purpose of enabling the carriage and its load tovbeeasily and conveniently raised and lowered by manual power a shiftingmechanism is provided which is preferably constructed as follows:

The numeral 25. represents a vertical shifting rod which is secured atits upper end to the central part of the cross bar. I9 of the carriageand slides with its lower part through a clutch casing 26 which issecured to the frame bar I4 and forms part of a step-by-step shiftingdevice.

` Within this casing are arranged a pair of upper clutch plates 21 and apair of lower clutch plates 28 each of which is provided with an openingin which the shifting rod is arranged. The clutch plates 21 of the upperpair are superposed and the lower one of this pair rests with its innerlend on a shoulder 29 Within the clutch casing 26 and the lower one ofthe lower pair of clutch plates rests at its inner end on a shoulder 30on the clutch casing. The numeral 3I represents a spring which isinterposed between the upper side of the upper clutch plate 21 of theyu'pper pair and 32 a spring interposed between the lower clutch plate 21of the upper pair and the upper clutch plate 2B of the lower pair.

When the clutch plates are at rest the upper pair are loose on thelifting rod 25 while the members of the lower pair of clutch platesincline outwardly and the front parts of their inner edges grip thefront side of the shifting rod while the rear parts of their inner edgesgrip the rear side of this rod, as shown in Fig. 8, and thereby operateto prevent this rod and any load supported thereon from descending.

If it is desired to lower the shifting rod and the parts connectedtherewith the rear ends of the lower clutch plates are lifted by placinga releasing bar 33 or the like between the underside of the lower memberof the lower pair of clutch plates 28 and shoulder 34 on the clutchcase, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8, and turning this bar so as toraise the rear ends of this pair of clutch plates. When this occurs thegrip of the front and rear edges of the openings in these plates on thisrod is released and this rod is permitted to slide downwardly by gravitythrough these clutch plates until this bar is again turned in thedirection to permit the lower clutch plates to tilt downwardly at theirrear ends. As a result these lower plates again grip the shifting rodand prevent the further descent of the same.

When it is desired tolift the shifting rod the upper pair of clutchplates are tilted upwardly at their rear ends so that the front and rearparte of their inner edges grip the corresponding parts of the shiftingrod and upon continuing an upward pressure against the rear parts of theupper clutch plates, after the same have been thus tilted, the shiftingrod and the carriage connected with the same will be lifted. During thisupward movement of the shifting rod the same slides freely through thelower clutch plates Il without interference from the latter.

Upon permitting the rear ends of the upper clutch plates to descend thegrip of the same on the shifting rod is released and the grip of thelower clutch plates on this rod is restored, thereby holding the latterin whatever vertical position the same may occupy. Raising of the rearends ofthe upper clutch plates may be eilected by various means, forexample, by a releasing lever pivoted by a pin 35 on the casing 2B andhaving a front arm 36 adapted to engage underneath the lower member ofthe upper pair of clutch plates, as shown in Fig. 8, while its rear armis provided with a socket 31 adapted to receive a handle or bar 38 foroscillating this releasing lever. This bar 3B may be used as the bar 33for operating the lower clutch plates when it is desired to lower theshifting rod and its load. If desired gravity alone may be employed fordepressing the clutch plates but it is preferable to also employ thesprings 3 I, 32 to insure certainty of operation.

The tool for cutting the tile, building block or the like preferably hasthe form of a thin circular disk or blade of abrasive material, such ascarborundum, and is mounted for rotation about a horizontal transverseaxis on a shaft 39 which is journaled in a bearing 40 mounted on thefront end of the carriage arm 20, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Power foroperating the cutting blade is preferably derived from an electric motor 4| mounted on the rear part of the carriage and motion istransmitted from this motor to the cutter blade by a belt 42 passingaround a driving pulley or wheel 43 on the motor shaft and a drivenpulley or wheel 44 on the cutter shaft.

The means for presenting the workpiece to be cut to the blade I8 areconstructed as follows:

In front of the frame standards I2 and over the base sills I is arrangedan elevator which comprises two longitudinal side bars 45, front andrear cross bars 46 connecting the front and rear ends, respectively, ofthe side bars and vertical legs 41 projecting downwardly from thecentral parts of the side bars. On the upper side of the side bars 45the same are provided with longitudinal rails 48 which form a track onwhich run the wheels 49 of a longitudinally movable table 59. The tilebuilding blockv or other workpiece to be cut is placed on the table andby moving the elevator vertically and the table horizontally thisworkpiece may be moved relatively to the cutter blade for producing thecutting operation.

At its front end the table is provided with a locating bar I againstwhich the front side of the workpiece rests for properly placing andholding the same while being cut, and the forward movement of the tableon the track is limited by a stop 52 on the elevator. The verticalmovement of the elevator is controlled` so that the track for the tablealways remains horizontal this being preferably accomplished by aparallel moving linkage comprising a pair of upper vertically swingingcontrolling or elevating links 53 pivotally connected at their front andrear ends with the elevator legs 41 and the frame standards I3, a pairof vertically swinging lower controlling or elevating links 54, crossbars 55, 56 connecting the intermediate parts, respectively, of theupper and lower controlling links, a front cross tube 51 connecting thefront ends of each pair of velevator links and turning on a front crossrod 58 connecting the elevator legs, and a rear cross tube 59 connectingthe rear ends of each pair of links and turning on a rear cross rod 60which is connected to the frame standards.

Various means may be employed for moving the elevator vertically butthose shown in the drawings are preferred and constructed as follows:

The numeral 6I represents a vertically swinging foot lever arrangedbelow the elevator and pivoted between its front and rear ends by a pin62 to a bracket 53 on the frame bar I5 and provided at its frontend witha pedal 64. Motion is transmitted from this foot lever to the elevatorby a, lifting link which preferably comprises two upright link bars 55having their intermediate parts connected by a rivet 66 while theirlower ends are spread and straddle the foot lever and are pivotallyconnected therewith by a pin 61 passing through one or another of alongitudinal row of openings 12 in the rear arm of the foot lever, andtheir upper ends are provided vwith a vertical row of registering pairsof openings 68, a pivot tube 69 passing through one or another of thepairs of the openings 58 in the lifting link, and a horizontal pivot rodupon which the pivot tube turns and which is adapted to be secured atits opposite ends on one'or another pair of corresponding openings 1Iformed inlongitudinal rows, respectively, in the lower pair of liftinglinks 54. Upon depressing the pedal of the foot lever the elevator willbe raised through the medium of the linkage connecting the same with therear end of the foot lever and 'upon removing the foot pressure von thepedal the elevator'will be lowered by gravity. f

The article to be cut is placed on the table 50 while the same and theelevator are lowered and lthe table is on the front part of the elevatortrack. Thereafter the elevator is raised to bring the workpiece in frontof the cutter blade and then the table may be oscillated past the cutterblade for producing the desired cut in the workpiece.

When the workpiece is comparatively low it is necessary to raise theelevator a considerable distance in order to bring the workpiece intoposition relative to the cutter blade to permit of cutting the workpieceas desired, but if the workpiece is comparatively high the requiredvertical movement of the elevator is less than when cutting a lowworkpiece.

In order to permit the elevator to be raised a considerable distance.when cutting *high workpieces or a comparatively short distance whencutting low workpieces the connection between the opposite ends of thelifting link 65 and the foot lever and lower pair of elevator links 54is shifted relative to the axes of this lever and these l parallel linksso as to change the leverage between these elements while maintainingsubstantial uniformity in the throw of the foot lever. Accordingly, ifthe connection between the lifting link 65 and the foot lever and thelower elevator links 54 is farthest from the axes of this lever and thispair of links, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1, then the elevator willbe raised the maximum distance upon depressing the pedal. of the footlever. When, however, the connection between the lifting link 65 and thefoot lever and elevator links 54 is shifted nearer the axes of the footlever and the lower elevator links, as shown by one or the other of thepositions of the lifting link, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, thesame throw of the foot lever will raise the elevator to a lesser extent.This adjustment of the relative throw of the foot lever and the elevatorlinks is accomplished by shifting the pivot rod 10 and tube 59 from onepair of openings 68 in the lifting link 55 to another, and also byshifting the pin 61 from one opening 12 in the foot lever to another,and also by shifting the tube 69 and rod 1I| from one pair of openings1I in the lower elevator links 54 to another. f

By thus maintaining the throw of the foot lever substantially uniform,the operator need not vary the depression distance of his foot to effectraising of the elevator different distances, thereby avoiding unduefatigue 'and also ensuring greater eiciency in the operation of themachine.

The downward movement of the elevator is limited by stops 13 whichpreferably consist of rubber blocks which are engaged by the lower endsof the elevator legs and thus cushion the stopping action of theelevator. These stops are preferably capable of being adjusted and forwhich purpose the same are mounted on the upper ends of Screws 1.4 whichengage at their lower ends with threaded openings in brackets 15 on thebase sills IU and which are held in place after adjustment by means ofjamb nuts 16 applied thereto.

In order to relieve the operator from lifting the entire load whenraising the elevator, counterbalancing means are provided such, forexample, as a spring 11 connected at its lower end with the rear arm ofthe foot lever while its upper end is connected with a bar 18 secured tothe standards of the main frame, as best shown in Figs."1", 3'and'4.

It will be noted that in thismachine the rotary cutter blade is. rigidlymounted in its" operative position, and incapable of bodily movement,thereby avoiding vibration and permitting the use of .thinner bladeswithout liability of breakage and still securing accurate andI uniformcui:- ting of grooves in the. material being cut, whereby the cost ofmaintaining the apparatus in operative condition is materially reduced.

Ii desired the arm which supports the cutter blade, motor and associatedparts may be mounted so that the same is' capable of horizontal,longitudinal adjustment thereon so as to make it possible to operate onworkplaces of greater length. i

This is preferably accomplished as follows;

The numeral 19 represents. a guide'shelf prO- jecting rearwardlyv fromthe central pari;A of the cross bar I9 at the upper end of the.vertically movable carriage. The cutter blade I8r motor 4| andthe partsassociated therewith correspond to those shown in Figs. 1 9 and aremounted on the front; part of a horizontally movable arm 80, similar tothe arm 20, whichA slidable arm. 80 is of channelshape in cross sectionand. rests with its horizontal web on top of the shelf 19 while.

its. longitudinal vertical anges 8| engagev with opposite vertical sidesot this shelf; as shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. Upon sliding the arm 80horizontally forwardly or backwardly theJ cutter I8 may be moved into arearward. position close tothe upright,"standardsv l2 of the frame,asfshown by dotted lines in Fig. 1,0, ioicutting; material which iscomparatively' short. or thisv cutter may be moved into a forward.position more remote. from the standards, as shown by full linesin thesame figure, thereby permitting of positioning the cutter as best suitsthe length of thematerial being cut.

After the supporting arm 80 has been shifted into the desired positionthe same may be held rigidly on the vertically .movable carriage bymeans of clamping bolts,y 82 passing through longitudinal slots 83 inthe sideanges 8|, of the supporting arm 80 and openings in the adjacentside parts of the shelf 19. When. thus secured thesupporting arm` 80 isvheld by the bolts 82 against sliding and rocking onthe shelf.

If desired the supporting arm I8: may be adjusted horizontally on theshelf 1.9 by sliding opposite longitudinal. sides thereofV in guidechannels or ways 8| on opposite; sides of the shelf 8U, as shown in Fig.13', and holding the same in place by means of clamping. bolts 85passing through the adjacent parts of this shelf', one: or the other ofthese parts being provided withY horizontal slots for the reception ofthese bolts to permit of sliding the supporting arm 8l in said channels.In this last mentioned construction the channels 8l prevent the arm fromrocking and the bolts 85 perform the sole function of holding thesupporting arm against sliding on the shelf.

Adjustable stop means; are provided forv the work supporting table '50whichV are movable lengthwise of the latter for the purpose of adaptingthese stop means to; material of various lengths which are to bepresented to the disk cutter when the latter is adjusted to differentpositionsr lengthwise of the machine. In its preferred form thisadjustable stop means, as shown in Figs. 10' and 11, is constructed asiollows:

The numeral 86 represents two longitudinal guide bars which areslidable: horizontally in longitudinal guideways 81' on the suvrmftingtable 50 and adapted to be held in position there'- on by means ofclamping4 screws IB after being cutter blade.

At their'iront ends these guide bars are connected with a transversestop or gage bar Si which is adapted to be engaged by the front end; ofthe4 to be cut for' limiting the forward movement of this material onthe table and also compel this material to move rearwardly with the sameduring the operation of presenting' the material tothe cutter.v

In machines for this purpose as heretofore constructed the cutter bladewas moved toward and from the material to be cut by an arm which waspivoted to swing vertically and this necessitated shortening the lowerfront part of the hood or guard which enclosed the upper part of the Byrotatably mounting the cutter bladein anormally stationary bearing andavoiding bodily movement o1 the cutter' blade toward and from theworkpiece, and moving the latter vertically and horizontally relative tothe cutter blade, the lower front part of the guard or hood can beprojected downwardly a greater extent, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10,thereby covering the cutter blade to a larger extent and increasing theprotection to the operator accordingly.

Fromv the foregoing description it will be evident that this inventionprovides acutting machinev which permits of easily cutting articlesvaryingl considerably in height and length with.- out, however, making,the machine itself unduly high or long and in which the working partsare readily accessible for inspection. adjustment and repairing.

I claim as my invention:

. 1. A machine for cutting articles comprising a mainframe having a baseand upright standards of channel shapev projecting upwardly from therear part of the base and having their channels opposing each other, avertically adjustable carriage having depending legs slidable in saidchannels and a forwardly projecting arm, fastening means for rigidly andadiustably connecting said standards and legs including a plurality ofclamping plates each ofA which extends across one of said standards andthe companion carriage leg and has av toe at its inner end bearingagainst a. transverse. side of the respectivev leg and an outer hookengaging with the longitudinal outer side of the respective standard,and a bolt connecting the' central part of said plate with therespective standard, a cutter mounted on said arm, and means for movingthe article to be cut toward and from said cutter. :.1

2. A machine for cutting articlesv lcomprising a mainframe, ay carriageadjustable vertically on the upper part of this frame, a cutter mountedon this carriage, means for moving the article to bek cut relativetosaid cutter, and means for raisand lowering said carriage. including avertical shifting,` rod connected with said carriage, a casing which ismounted on the main frame and receives said rod. and is provided withupper and lower shoulders, an upwardly inclined clutch member resting onone ofv said shoulders and having front and rear gripping edges engagingwith opposite sides of the shifting rod and a downwardly inclined clutchmember resting ou the other oi said shoulders and having front and reargripping edges engaging the opposite sides of said rod, and means forvtilting said4 members to release their respective gripping edges fromsaid rod'.

3. A machine for cutting articles comprising amain frame, a, cuttermounted on the upper part of said frame,vv a vertically movable elevatoradapted to support the article to be cut, and

means for controlling the movement of said elevator including upperr andlower parallel controlling links pivotally connected at their oppositeends with said elevator and frame, a foot lever pivoted on the frame andprovided at its front end with a pedal, and a lifting link connectingthe rear end of said foot lever with one of said controlling links.

4. A machine for cutting articles comprising a main frame, a cuttermounted on the upper part of said frame, a vertically movable elevatoradapted to support the article to be cut, and means for controlling themovement of said elevator including upper and lower parallel controllinglinks pivotally connected at their opposite ends with said elevator andframe, a foot lever pivoted on the frame and provided at its front endwith a pedal, a lifting link connecting the rear end of said foot leverwith one of said con- 'trolling links, means for adjusting theconnection between said lifting link and the respective controlling linklengthwise of these links, and means for adjusting the connectionbetween said lifting link and foot lever lengthwise of the latter.

5. A machine for cutting articles comprising a main frame, a cuttermounted on the upper part of said frame, an elevator movable verticallyrelative to said cutter and including a horizontal track and downwardlyprojecting legs, a table movable horizontally on said track and adaptedto support the article to be cut, means for controlling the verticalmovement of said elevator including upper and lower parallel controllinglinks pivotally connected at opposite ends with said main frame and saidelevator legs, a foot lever pivoted on said main frame and operativelyconnected with one of said controlling links, and

a. balancing spring connecting said lever with the main frame.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a -main frame, acarriage adjustable vertically on said frame and provided with ahorizontal shelf, a supporting arm slidable horizontally on said shelfland provided with horizontal slots, fastening bolts passing through saidslots and the adjacent lparts of said shelf, and a disk cutter mountedon said arm.

'7. A machine of the character described comprising a main frame, acarriage adjustable vertically on said frame, a supporting armadjustable horizontalhr on said carriage, a disk cutter mounted on saidarm, and means for presenting the material to be cut to said cutterincluding an element movable vertically relative to said cutter andanother element movable horizontally on said rst mentioned element andadapted to support the material to be cut.

8. A machine of the character described comprising a main frame, acarriage adjustable vertically on said frame, a supporting armadjustable horizontally on said carriage, a rotary disk cutter mountedon said arm, and means for presenting the material to be cut to saidcutter including. a vertically movable elevator mounted on said frameand having horizontal tracks, a table for supporting said materialmovable'horizontally on said tracks, and stop means for limiting theforward movement of said material on said table including longitudinalbars slidable horizontally on said table and a stop bar connected withthe front ends of said longitudinal bars and adapted to be engaged bythe front end of said material.

CHARLES A. MARTIN.

